Last (belated) autumn post before moving on to winter. Just 50 minutes and USD3.50 from Central Tokyo by train, hiking Mount Takao is a perfect way to work off all those holiday calories and get in touch with nature.

Since it’s Mothers’ Day here is the long delayed trip report of my visit to Hakone with Mummy dearest back in 2015. As you know I dislike this sort of typical tourist itinerary, but it is a good place to bring the old folks and first-timers to Japan.

Did you know that you can send your bulky luggage within Japan and enjoy a hassle-free journey on public transport? I use it most often to send my snowboard bag to and from the airport. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of this magical Japanese invention.